“Chosen to Trust”

Twinkling radiance captures my attention.

At first, just one string of icicle lights- red, green, blue, and sometimes orange -blinking, and then a gold lite star illuminating the treetop like a well-placed crown, and the Christmas season is off to a fresh start.

I often think of my mom this time of year. Her cat connectedness was a force I remember as a small child. Our home was often the lodge of an adoring cat whether my mom was the owner or not. Neighborhood kitties that stood at the back door, welcomed as they walked past her into the kitchen, tails held high adopting her for the day, and then wandering home at night. It was a strange arrangement that as a teenager I just didn’t understand. I accused her of stealing other people’s animals. I had not yet been assimilated as a friend of the fur nor spoken the language my mom so fluently understood. I lacked a basic empathy of cat independence. Yet, it was this early exposure to kitty behavior that cultivated the seeds of my latent writing ability. Pushed and planted then settled into the deep, rich soil of my being. For unto me the idea was given to bear the birth of the Kitty Chronicle.

The arrival of Jesus, the reason for the season, shines a light (like a star as it were) on the actions of a few key characters. One being Mary, the mother of Jesus, who at a young age revealed a nature of mature trust. When told of her role as the future mother of the promised Savior, many expectations must have filled her head. Slices of her thinking are found in Luke 1:46-54 in the “Song of Mary.

“Henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me.”

Nowhere in the angel’s announcement was it communicated the disappointments, the delays, and even the questioning of her virtue. Not once was a long-tiring road trip to Bethlehem mentioned nor a lack of a place for Mary to lay her head as she gave birth to her child.

In 4000 years of heavenly planning, this detail shriveled and became overlooked. That first Christmas was anything but perfect, but more a season of hardships to be endured. It is only years later that mankind softens the story by painting smiles on the faces of Mary and Joseph and illustrating the stable as a cozy rest stop full of contented animals.

The mental image of family home and together, a tree decorated with gifts stacked beneath, and a savory meal cooking in the kitchen is that picture perfect moment capturing our perception of Christmas comes much later.

As we read more of the “Song of Mary,” we hear her humility and trust.

“My soul magnifies the Lord; and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…for He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant.”

Mary bore the difficulties as part of the plan for she spoke fluently the language of trust. From the very beginning, her response, “Be it done onto me according to Your Word.” (Luke 1:38) controlled her mindset. Mary has been called the Blessed Mother because she viewed herself as blessed *

A life not perfect; just chosen to trust. (For blessed is he who trusts in the Lord Ps40.)

It took me years to fathom the sway my mom held over her kitties. Her interactions, a touch here or a light scratch of the head there, which exceeded words but offered comfort and attachment to her furry visitors. Showing back their devotion by rubbing their soft furry bodies against her legs and dominating her bedroom furniture. A connection beyond words. Just respect and trust. (For I am convinced that at a future date my mom will be canonized as the patron saint of wandering kitties.)

Do you long for a perfect Christmas?

Then speak as Mary did. “He exalts the lowly, and He has filled the hungry with good things.” (v.52-53) And voice nothing less.

However, though, years later, once Jesus had been resurrected and ascended into heaven, and Mary enjoyed the status of being His mom, I would not be surprised if she tried to influence the ritual of the baby shower. Structuring it more like the customs of today in which men, even if considered wise, are discouraged from selecting the gifts. After all, who gives gold (maybe), but frankincense and myrrh to a new mom?

Merry Christmas,

from Kathy and Dave Benedetto, storyteller and editor

and the whole Kitty Chronicle staff who chronically love kitties.

*Toowayhon is an Aramaic word (Aramaic being the native language of Galilee where Jesus was from) meaning enriched, happy, delighted, blissful, content. It is so much more than our word “blessed”. It signifies great happiness, prosperity, abundant goodness, delight…https://broadway.im/toowayhon/ Over the years, the meaning will evolve based on developing Church tradition.